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Tran Quang
Than, 38, lives on Hang Ca street in Nha Trang city and
was exposed to Agent Orange. His son Tran Quang Hung, 6,
suffers from deformity and mental problems.
Photo from the VNA's book For the Victim of Agent
Orange. |
The tragic event of 11th
September 2001 will long be remembered by the families and
friends of those killed by the criminal attack on the twin
towers in New York. Yet let us not forget another crime - a
war crime - that took place over a ten-year period from 1961 -
1971. This was carried out by US Forces by their use of
chemical weapons and in particular Agent Orange.
This crime killed many thousands
of Vietnamese in addition to causing untold numbers of
abnormal births. The poison Dioxin in Agent Orange is the
worlds most dangerous substance and the consequences of its
use has led to severe disabilities in the generations born
since amongst the population of Vietnam.
In my travels over 19-years in
many provinces of Vietnam I have met with many of these
victims, have seen the suffering of the victims and the
parents. It is not easy to meet and discuss without feeling
deep anger at the injustice suffered by the victims and their
families over the many years. Today in Vietnam there are over
3,000,000 Yes, 3,000,000 all are waiting for the outcome of
the Court of Appeal ruling in their case against those who
manufactured the chemicals used on Vietnam.
This crime must not go
un-punished. Millions around the world have been made aware of
the horrific damage done to the people, land and forests of
Vietnam by the lawsuit that began by the Vietnam Association
Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) in 2004.
In turn they have shown their
support by calling for Justice for the Victims by letters of
protest to the US Government, the Chemical companies, holding
of public meetings and by signing the many petitions created
in many countries. Perhaps the best known internationally is
the one we created online:
www.petitiononlione.com/AOVN/
This petition has gathered support
from individuals of all nationalities, all supporting the call
for Justice.
But, there are others affected by
the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam, the servicemen and women
who served in Vietnam from the United States, Australia, South
Korea, New Zealand and the Philippines. These too, just like
the Vietnamese, have come down with illnesses and
disabilities, as have some of their children. But, unlike the
US Veterans the Vietnamese victims have yet to receive any
compensation from those who gave the order for the use of
Agent Orange.
So it is appropriate that on 18th
June in New York the scene of the tragic events of 11th
September 2001, three judges of the United States Court of
Appeals will preside over the appeal by the US Veterans and
the Vietnamese Victims seeking
justice for a crime committed many
years ago by the US over South Vietnam.
Millions of supporters will be
waiting to hear the Courts ruling as will the four Vietnamese
victims who will be in the court. They will hear the
statements from the lawyers for US Veterans and the lawyers
for the Vietnamese, they will also hear the lawyers for the 36
chemical companies.
How long the judges will take to
give their ruling is unknown, but however long all of us must
keep up the pressure, gain more signatures for the petitions.
hold more public meetings.
Since the lawsuit began in 2004
the case for Justice has been made by millions of people
around the world, the moral argument has been won, now we must
see that legal argument heard on 18th June will bring forth to
the victims JUSTICE.
Let me end by quoting young Nguyen
Duc whose wedding I was proud to attend in December 2006. Duc
is, along with his brother Viet, a victim of Agent Orange.
"I find it ironic that on one hand
you put [Saddam Hussein] on trial for using biological
warfare, but in another country where you sprayed chemicals
for warfare, you neglect your responsibility," "The United
States must admit it's responsible and compensate the Agent
Orange victims in Vietnam," he said. "It is your moral
obligation. Sooner or later, it has to be done."
By Len Aldis
Secretary of Britain-Vietnam Friendship Association |
